-Article by Gwen Vermeulen

If you or your spouse are in the UK on an Ancestry visa, and one of you is now eligible to register as a British citizen (for example, under Section 4L of the British Nationality Act 1981), there may be a faster route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for your dependent partner.

✅ Spouses Don’t Need to Wait 5 Years

Unlike most other visa routes, spouses and partners on the UK Ancestry dependent visa can apply for ILR without completing 5 years in the UK — as soon as the main visa holder is granted British citizenship or ILR.

Your spouse may qualify to apply for ILR immediately, provided:

• The relationship remains genuine and you live together;
• Your spouse meets the English language and Life in the UK Test requirements;
• There has been continuous lawful residence.

This is a major benefit of the Ancestry route, and one many families overlook.

💷 Updated ILR Fees (Effective 29 April 2025)

The Home Office fee for an ILR application is now:

£2,885.00 per applicant

✅ No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is payable for ILR — a saving of more than £1,000 per year.

💼 Our Professional Fee

We charge a flat fee of £950 to assist with a standard ILR application under this route. This includes:

• Document review and legal advice
• Preparation and submission of the application
• Booking biometrics and monitoring the outcome
• Guidance on supporting evidence and any additional steps

📌 Ready to Apply?

If you have recently become a British citizen or are about to receive your citizenship certificate, this may be the perfect time for your spouse to secure permanent residence and avoid another visa extension.

Contact us for more informtaion!